As Elon Musk defies order, Michigan reopens car manufacturing Published on May 12, 2020 at 04:00AM by As Tesla defies a local order prohibiting the return of manufacturing, the state of Michigan — one of the biggest coronavirus hotspots in the United States — moved to reopen automobile manufacturing on Monday. CEO Elon Musk stated his company will follow Governor Gavin Newsom's move to Stage 2 of the state's reopening plan, which allows for the return of retail and manufacturing with physical distancing measures put in place. In a Sunday statement , Tesla stated Newsom's plan "is supported by science and credible health data," and criticized Alameda County for enforcing a stricter order that does not permit manufacturing to return. "All other auto companies in US are approved to resume," Musk tweeted Monday. "Only Tesla has been singled out. This is super messed up!"